10 TIPS FOR TIGHTER TEXT
1. Avoid redundant word combinations (added bonus, biography of her life, past history).
2. Change unnecessary “that, who, and which” clauses to shorter phrases.
3. Replace “not” phrases with antonym.
4. Avoid “there is, there are, there were, it is, it was” as sentence openers.
5. Use active verbs instead of “to be” words.
6. Replace or delete weak modifiers (emphatic words, excess adverbs).
7. Keep it simple, Simon.
8. Instead of qualifiers, use less definite verbs (should, might, may, could).
9. Replace vague nouns and adjectives with specifics.
10. Avoid cliches like the plague.
Joy Eckel, Freelance Copy Editor Email joyeckel@gmail.com for a free sample edit and estimate!